They aren't. And people don't really care nearly as much as their shrill cries of outrage would lead you to believe. Lay low for a week or so. The east coast hurricane and the recent election should shroud you in white noise until this all blows over.

The term "octopus" is from Greek ὀκτάπους[39][40] (oktapous, "eight-footed"), with traditional plural forms "octopuses" (pronounced /ˈɒktəpʊsɪz/) from English grammar and "octopodes" (pronounced /ɒkˈtɒpədiːz/) from the Greek. Currently, "octopuses" is the most common form in both the US and the UK. The term "octopod" (plural: "octopods" or "octopodes") is taken from the taxonomic order Octopoda, but has no classical equivalent. The collective plural "octopus" is usually reserved for animals consumed for food.[citation needed]

Some authorities consider "octopi" an objectionable[41] hypercorrection, feeling the form arose from the incorrect assumption that "octopus" is a Latin second-declension form. However, "octopus" is a scientific Latin third-declension noun with a plural of octopodes. Nevertheless, the Oxford English Dictionary (2008 Draft Revision)[42] lists "octopuses", "octopi", and "octopodes" (in that order), labelling "octopodes" 'rare' and noting that "octopi" derives from the misapprehension that octōpus is a second-declension Latin noun. The book further maintains that if the word were native to Latin, it would be third declension octōpēs (plural: octōpedes) after the pattern of pēs ("foot", plural pedēs).[43] The original Latin word for octopus and other similar species is polypus, from Greek polýpous (πολύπους, "many-footed"); again, usually the inappropriate plural polypī is used instead of polypodēs.

Fowler's Modern English Usage states, 'the only acceptable plural in English is "octopuses"', that "octopi" is 'misconceived', and "octopodes" 'pedantic'. Chambers 21st Century Dictionary[44] and the Compact Oxford Dictionary[45] list only "octopuses", although the latter notes that "octopodes" is 'still occasionally used'. The descriptivist Merriam-Webster 11th Collegiate Dictionary lists "octopuses" and "octopi" in that order; likewise, Webster's New World College Dictionary lists in order "octopuses", "octopi", and "octopodes".

In modern Greek, the word is χταπόδι (khtapódi; plural: χταπόδια, khtapódia), from Byzantine ὀκταπόδιον (oktapódion) derived from the Classical Greek variant ὀκτάπους (oktápous).

People catch and eat octopi here in Seattle all the time. I usually catch much smaller ones as they hit on squid jigs, and you bet your ass I eat them. Also, no one gives a flying fark. They are not endangered in any way shape or form.

This kid did two things wrong. He was hunting in a very popular dive spot. While legal, it is the equivalent walking up to an old lady feeding the ducks at a city park and strangling one of them. And second, he was an unbelievable dick bag about it. If he hadn't been such a huge douche, none of this would have happened.

In the end, they will do what they should have done in the first place and make that particular area an underwater park. People who want to spearfish or dive for octos can drive literally a mile down the road to the less crowded side of Alki and dive there.

Magnanimous_J:People catch and eat octopi here in Seattle all the time. I usually catch much smaller ones as they hit on squid jigs, and you bet your ass I eat them. Also, no one gives a flying fark. They are not endangered in any way shape or form.

This kid did two things wrong. He was hunting in a very popular dive spot. While legal, it is the equivalent walking up to an old lady feeding the ducks at a city park and strangling one of them. And second, he was an unbelievable dick bag about it. If he hadn't been such a huge douche, none of this would have happened.

In the end, they will do what they should have done in the first place and make that particular area an underwater park. People who want to spearfish or dive for octos can drive literally a mile down the road to the less crowded side of Alki and dive there.

Magnanimous_J:People catch and eat octopi here in Seattle all the time. I usually catch much smaller ones as they hit on squid jigs, and you bet your ass I eat them. Also, no one gives a flying fark. They are not endangered in any way shape or form.

This kid did two things wrong. He was hunting in a very popular dive spot. While legal, it is the equivalent walking up to an old lady feeding the ducks at a city park and strangling one of them. And second, he was an unbelievable dick bag about it. If he hadn't been such a huge douche, none of this would have happened.

In the end, they will do what they should have done in the first place and make that particular area an underwater park. People who want to spearfish or dive for octos can drive literally a mile down the road to the less crowded side of Alki and dive there.

If you walk up to a duck in a park and breaks it neck, you're probably committing a felony (at least in IL, don't know in WA).

Scott Lundy, a photographer and diver, was at the cove when Mayer surfaced and was seen punching the octopus.

So that's what kids are calling it these days.

But seriously, this phrase is confusing. Did this guy literally punch an octopus, and if so, WHY? And if not, is this phrase just a really stupid and awkward way to describe catching or killing an octopus?

NutWrench:Scott Lundy, a photographer and diver, was at the cove when Mayer surfaced and was seen punching the octopus.

So that's what kids are calling it these days.

But seriously, this phrase is confusing. Did this guy literally punch an octopus, and if so, WHY? And if not, is this phrase just a really stupid and awkward way to describe catching or killing an octopus?

Another article said that the diver was punching the octopus because it was wrapping it's tentacles around him. So he was punching it to make it stop.

Honest Bender:"I didn't know they were so beloved, or I wouldn't have done it,"

They aren't.

They actually kinda are. There are a ton of dive sites here where people don't pull octi because they're much cooler in the water than they are on your plate. Seacrest in particular is one of those places. I've got hundreds of dives there and I've never seen anyone pull out octopus, as they aren't that common there and it's a recreational site, rather than a hunting site. Plus, the bottom at Seacrest is a freaking Superfund area and you'd be a moron to eat any non-transient species taken there.

What is really going on with the outrage is that this particular octo was apparently a female sitting on a nest of eggs. I don't know if that is true or not (I have it on good authority that it is) then they guy that took it is a colossal douche bag and deserves to be drowned in the bathtub.

There was a similar near riot at Seacrest a few years ago when some clown was pulling six gill sharks out on hook and line.

garumph:Another article said that the diver was punching the octopus because it was wrapping it's tentacles around him. So he was punching it to make it stop.

Octopuses are extremely strong and have a powerful grip that you cannot pull loose. They can and have grabbed cameras, spearguns, and grabbed and pulled loose oxygen lines. They also have a powerful beak that can bite right through airlines and wetsuits. If an octopus got a grip on you. you'd probably freak out too.

So good for Washington if they make this park a no-hunting zone so that tree hugger divers can feed wildlife, and accustom said wildlife to view divers as a source of food. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before a hungry octopus pursues a diver and maybe kills them. Just like the stupid tourists that used to feed bears in Yellowstone and take pictures of themselves feeding the bears, or touching them, and eventually, some of them were attacked.

NutWrench:Scott Lundy, a photographer and diver, was at the cove when Mayer surfaced and was seen punching the octopus.

So that's what kids are calling it these days.

But seriously, this phrase is confusing. Did this guy literally punch an octopus, and if so, WHY? And if not, is this phrase just a really stupid and awkward way to describe catching or killing an octopus?

That is kind of how you bag them. Collapse their bag, turn them "inside out" and drown them.

WeenerGord:Rent Party: There was a similar near riot at Seacrest a few years ago when some clown was pulling six gill sharks out on hook and line.

What is so special about gill sharks?

They spend the vast majority of their lives at thousands of feet of depth, coming shallow only to feed and breed. As a result, we know very little about them and getting to see one up close and in person is kind of a rare treat.

Honest Bender:"I didn't know they were so beloved, or I wouldn't have done it,"

They aren't. And people don't really care nearly as much as their shrill cries of outrage would lead you to believe. Lay low for a week or so. The east coast hurricane and the recent election should shroud you in white noise until this all blows over.

/Hunting octopus?//STOP LIKING WHAT I DON'T LIKE!

How else is he going to get his 15 minutes? I mean, his friend still hasn't unveiled his 'art' project. Be a shame to let all the free pub go to waste.

Yes, hunting GPOs is legal in WA. With a license, you can take one per day in season. They are not endangered.

The outrage included: (1) said octopus was viewed by many divers recently as it was close-in to shore at Alki so you didn't have to be a strong diver (below 40 feet) to see it. Kind of a nice thing in our 45-degree water and extreme currents. (2) While said octopus was not a "female sitting on eggs," it was a beautiful specimen, probably not a youngster. (3) Said diver, when approached by other divers on shore, told them his "artist friend" asked him for a GPO for his Halloween installment, not for said diver's diner. (4) Said diver did, in fact, punch and continue to punch the GPO until it died because it was fighting him.

Even IF said diver was taking a GPO for dinner, its size would render it nearly inedible; even with a light poach and grilling, it would be tough as leather.

But, finally, you can't fix douchiness. He was a tool, and the diving community was and is outraged. No one wants to change the law about taking GPOs in season; but since Alki is a walk-in dive site, it is one of the few places in Puget Sound where you can see GPOs up close and personal without being a serious diver. Close Alki to GPO hunting.

Mrs. Beasley:Yes, hunting GPOs is legal in WA. With a license, you can take one per day in season. They are not endangered.

The outrage included: (1) said octopus was viewed by many divers recently as it was close-in to shore at Alki so you didn't have to be a strong diver (below 40 feet) to see it. Kind of a nice thing in our 45-degree water and extreme currents. (2) While said octopus was not a "female sitting on eggs," it was a beautiful specimen, probably not a youngster. (3) Said diver, when approached by other divers on shore, told them his "artist friend" asked him for a GPO for his Halloween installment, not for said diver's diner. (4) Said diver did, in fact, punch and continue to punch the GPO until it died because it was fighting him.

Even IF said diver was taking a GPO for dinner, its size would render it nearly inedible; even with a light poach and grilling, it would be tough as leather.

But, finally, you can't fix douchiness. He was a tool, and the diving community was and is outraged. No one wants to change the law about taking GPOs in season; but since Alki is a walk-in dive site, it is one of the few places in Puget Sound where you can see GPOs up close and personal without being a serious diver. Close Alki to GPO hunting.

They're really not. They're kind of chewy, and as far as north west seafood options go, there are much more appetizing options.

And they really are charismatic (which is why I don't eat them.) They are curious and non aggressive (unless you're a douchebag trying to yank them out of their hole and kill them). One of my favorite things to do with new divers that have never seen a live one is to take off my glove and let my fingers drift along the end of a tentacle. They like the heat and will reach out to explore the warmth. Given enough time and nerve, the entire animal will wrap itself around your hand. Getting it to release is sometimes a bit of a challenge.

Rent Party:Hector Remarkable: when he took one of the charismatic animals

By 'charismatic', the author means 'tasty'.

They're really not. They're kind of chewy, and as far as north west seafood options go, there are much more appetizing options.

And they really are charismatic (which is why I don't eat them.) They are curious and non aggressive (unless you're a douchebag trying to yank them out of their hole and kill them). One of my favorite things to do with new divers that have never seen a live one is to take off my glove and let my fingers drift along the end of a tentacle. They like the heat and will reach out to explore the warmth. Given enough time and nerve, the entire animal will wrap itself around your hand. Getting it to release is sometimes a bit of a challenge.